Review: Encore! Performing Arts Celebrates Milestone 20th Anniversary with COME ALIVE: CELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF ENCORE at Steinmetz Hall of Dr. Phillips Center
Twenty years ago, a group of Walt Disney World cast members decided they wanted to put their talents to good use beyond their roles within the theme parks. Inspired by an Andrew Lloyd Webber 'Birthday Concert' in which stars got together to celebrate the acclaimed composer, they likewise set out to create a concert setting - all on their own time and dime - to help benefit the Central Florida community they call home. What began as a contingent of nearly seventy players has expanded and grown over the next two decades as hundreds of members come and go at their leisure, based upon the time they can give and the talent they can share. In a world filled with uncertainty and strife, it's a blessing that something as inherently good and selfless as Encore! Performing Arts continues to thrive.
BWW Review: CINDERELLA at Orlando Repertory Theatre
Sometimes, when the stresses of life get too be too much, nothing soothes the soul more than escaping into a good story. This can be particularly true when that story is one that holds special meaning for you – one you read as a child, or that meant something to someone special. The story of Cinderella is one of those – beloved by children (and adults alike) because it oozes hope, kindness, fantasy, and most importantly love. And in Orlando Repertory Theatre’s latest production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s CINDERELLA – that magic and wonder comes to life on stage with a brilliance that is sure to thrill theatergoers of all ages.
BWW Review: Encore's HAIRSPRAY is a Fabulous Demonstration of Community!
Welcome to the sixties, or rather to the 15th year of Encore! Comprised entirely by Walt Disney World cast members and their families, the mega-team of volunteers took the Walt Disney Theater by storm on their opening night. With a monstrous orchestra of over 40 musicians and a choir boasting more than 70 stellar singers, the electric energy from Tracy's iconic "Oh, oh, oh's" at the start of the opening number, "Good Morning Baltimore," flew throughout the 2,700+ seat theater and bounced off the walls for the entirety of the show.
BWW Reviews: Thoroughly Thrilled with Imagine's MILLIE
Those who have never seen THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE before should be very careful when they attend Imagine Production's version of the two-act musical. In her directorial debut with Imagine, director/choreographer Rose Babington has together a show that future MILLIE productions will have a hard time topping.
Photo Coverage: First Look at Imagine Productions' THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE
Set in New York City in 1922, Thoroughly Modern Millie tells the story of young Millie Dillmount from Kansas who comes to New York in search of a new life for herself. Her grand plan is to find a job as a secretary for a wealthy man and then marry him. However, her plan goes completely awry. The owner of her dingy hotel kidnaps young girls to sell to the Far East; her wealthy boss is slow in proposing marriage; and the man she actually falls in love with does not have a dime to his name -or so he tells her.
Children's Ballet Theatre of Michigan to Present THE NUTCRACKER, 11/28-30
The Children's Ballet Theatre of Michigan heralds the onset of the holiday season with its 34th annual production of The Nutcracker. Creative Director Gregory M. George will transform MSU Wharton Center for Performing Arts into a winter wonderland today, November 28th and Saturday, November 29th at 7:30 p.m. and again Sunday, November 30th at 2:00 p.m. A special show for school and community groups is offered on Monday, December 1st. Audience members should plan to purchase tickets early at www.cbtdance.org or by phoning the Wharton Box office at 1-800-Wharton.